Pasig City mulls offering free rides as transport strike vs traditional jeepney phaseout looms
Pasig City Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr. talsk to members of the media at the art exhibit “Buwak: Flower Power” in Estancia Mall in Pasig City on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. INQUIRER.net /Arnel Tacson.
MANILA, Philippines — The Pasig City government is considering offering free rides as a week-long transport strike looms due to the planned phaseout of traditional jeepneys nationwide.
Vice Mayor Robert Jaworski Jr. revealed this Wednesday, explaining that: “The national government has come out with directives and we, the local government of Pasig will need to follow. But we will talk about possible interventions that can be done within the LGU. Maybe we would try to provide some free rides for it from communities to the drop-offs.”
He said he will speak with Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto about the matter, but no promises are being given about the free rides.
Jaworski then expressed hope that an amicable solution will be reached so the transport strike will not push through since the commuting public will be adversely affected.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday announced that it once again extended the deadline for the traditional jeepney phaseout until December 31.
READ: Extended again: LTFRB says new deadline for traditional jeepney phaseout is Dec 31
Originally, the franchises for traditional jeepneys across the country were to expire by the end of this month, except for Metro Manila which was until the end of April. But on February 23, the LTFRB changed this deadline to June 30 in accordance with the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program.
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